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May 29, 2014 11:39:12 GMT
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I've had a couple of mx5's in the past 1.6 and 1.8. And probably would be the easiest engine swap but with the extra weight of the mg over the mx5 I can't think it's going to be very exiting after all the work involved. Maybe a bit different with a turbo bolted on?
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May 29, 2014 12:59:17 GMT
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Nice one looks a fairly easy transplant that one ,quite a few people buying those mx5,s too for donars hahah
I imagine roll on a few years and an original mx5 will be a rare beasty
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,626
Club RR Member Number: 1
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May 29, 2014 13:20:12 GMT
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I bought the MX for £500 with 3 months T&T, Rolled around in it and made sure all was in order then took what I needed and scrapped/sold the rest. Sold off the Stage 2 B series and box etc, and I calculated that I have broken even.
It's a good BHP increase over a B series regardless, 63BHP or something the original units had. It moves pretty well, but it will never set the tarmac on fire then again that's not really what I wanted from the project. In my case I was just sick of throwing money at the B series, that coupled with loving all things MX5...I thought what better thing to do than mix the two.
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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May 29, 2014 17:14:10 GMT
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I've had a couple of mx5's in the past 1.6 and 1.8. And probably would be the easiest engine swap but with the extra weight of the mg over the mx5 I can't think it's going to be very exiting after all the work involved. Maybe a bit different with a turbo bolted on? An MGB's actually weigh about the same as a basic early MX-5. A BGT's only 100kg over, which is about in line with a mk2 MX-5. Still, we all know MX-5's aren't that quick without a charger on them. It's not necessarily the engine that makes MX-5's such great little cars.
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May 29, 2014 18:07:18 GMT
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Tbh don't call me a pessimist here as did say the mx5 lump looks a nice fairly straightforward conversion ,but can't help feel that if your going to the hassle then fit something a bit more mental and something with a little more grunt ...
If it was me I'd be looking at an inline 4 cyl and something turbod or supercharged although not essential
Just can't help think it will feel slightly meh !!! With mx5 lump and In no way knocking the mx5 conversion that you've done as always nice to see something different which is my point here I suppose
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May 29, 2014 18:14:04 GMT
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Something like this is what ya need as its complete and has everything you need to convert
Ebay item no 331212148488
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May 29, 2014 18:40:39 GMT
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Tbh don't call me a pessimist here as did say the mx5 lump looks a nice fairly straightforward conversion ,but can't help feel that if your going to the hassle then fit something a bit more mental and something with a little more grunt ... If it was me I'd be looking at an inline 4 cyl and something turbod or supercharged although not essential Just can't help think it will feel slightly meh !!! With mx5 lump and In no way knocking the mx5 conversion that you've done as always nice to see something different which is my point here I suppose
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May 29, 2014 18:42:05 GMT
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Yep that's my point. I,l keep an eye on that sx through could be just the job
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drpete
Part of things
Posts: 125
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has any one fitted merc kompresser engine in to a retro???
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I still say go the Rover V8 route. "Tried and tested". Nobody can say something like a TVR spec 4.6 V8 is going to be boring and you'd be better off with a 1.8 MX5 engine . It's OK reinventing the wheel if you have bottomless pockets but it can get to the point where unusual transplant aren't viable if you have to pay somebody else to do the work. Paul H
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,865
Club RR Member Number: 58
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I still say go the Rover V8 route. "Tried and tested". Nobody can say something like a TVR spec 4.6 V8 is going to be boring and you'd be better off with a 1.8 MX5 engine . It's OK reinventing the wheel if you have bottomless pockets but it can get to the point where unusual transplant aren't viable if you have to pay somebody else to do the work. Paul H Depends on the age of MGB, the earlier cars won't take a V8 in the engine bay without cutting bits here and there, on a later car it becomes easier as the engine bays were all made common to the factory V8 models
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May 30, 2014 10:17:42 GMT
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I still say go the Rover V8 route. "Tried and tested". Nobody can say something like a TVR spec 4.6 V8 is going to be boring and you'd be better off with a 1.8 MX5 engine . It's OK reinventing the wheel if you have bottomless pockets but it can get to the point where unusual transplant aren't viable if you have to pay somebody else to do the work. Paul H Depends on the age of MGB, the earlier cars won't take a V8 in the engine bay without cutting bits here and there, on a later car it becomes easier as the engine bays were all made common to the factory V8 models When reverse clutch on the overdrive of my V reg rubber bumper started slipping I made the decision to convert to V8 and bought a running / MOT / taxed SD1 for £150 Yes - I know I was extremely lucky. Car was rough but at least I could drive around in it for a few weeks and even in the heavy saloon could see that the V8 was impressive. The rear exhaust got ripped off on a speed hump and the sound was wonderful I swopped a pair of stainless door frames off a scrap BGT for a pair of genuine B V8 exhaust manifolds. Not perfect option but easier than cutting holes in inner wings or tight / hugging headers. With my car being a late model, as you say, the shell was basically already suitable for the V8. I bought the "How to give your MGB V8 power by Roger Williams" book which gives comprehensive details of what is required to conversion. On chrome bumper / earlier rubber bumper the bulkhead needs modifying and later crossmember used if you don't want to modify an earlier version. Paul H
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,865
Club RR Member Number: 58
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May 30, 2014 10:57:12 GMT
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Depends on the age of MGB, the earlier cars won't take a V8 in the engine bay without cutting bits here and there, on a later car it becomes easier as the engine bays were all made common to the factory V8 models When reverse clutch on the overdrive of my V reg rubber bumper started slipping I made the decision to convert to V8 and bought a running / MOT / taxed SD1 for £150 Yes - I know I was extremely lucky. Car was rough but at least I could drive around in it for a few weeks and even in the heavy saloon could see that the V8 was impressive. The rear exhaust got ripped off on a speed hump and the sound was wonderful I swopped a pair of stainless door frames off a scrap BGT for a pair of genuine B V8 exhaust manifolds. Not perfect option but easier than cutting holes in inner wings or tight / hugging headers. With my car being a late model, as you say, the shell was basically already suitable for the V8. I bought the "How to give your MGB V8 power by Roger Williams" book which gives comprehensive details of what is required to conversion. On chrome bumper / earlier rubber bumper the bulkhead needs modifying and later crossmember used if you don't want to modify an earlier version. Paul H The relative cheapness of Rover V8s would make them a tempting prospect for myself if I had a rubber bumper B and theres plenty of tuning parts out there for them, even if V8 conversions are a bit 'done' Plus if one were to use a rubber bumper crossmember, just think about the loss of 'lows'
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Last Edit: May 30, 2014 11:19:21 GMT by adam73bgt
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Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,626
Club RR Member Number: 1
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May 30, 2014 13:19:29 GMT
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But "Tuning" the RV8 is expensive, if going that route you may as well stick a LS motor in there............................Hummmmm LS7!
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mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
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May 30, 2014 13:58:14 GMT
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Big beemer six, if it was me.
E36 M3, 535i, M535i, E28 M5..
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May 30, 2014 18:06:51 GMT
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My cars a 69 model, I'm not going to rule out a v8 just yet, If I happen to come find a v8 maybe even a BMW v8 and a manual box probably give it lot of thought but equality a turbo,d mg be be quite interesting to.
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Last Edit: May 30, 2014 18:07:54 GMT by bababoom
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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May 30, 2014 18:45:21 GMT
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my pals turboed mx5 is running a bar of boost with a saab t25 turbo and is just nice power wise but needs a clutch to go any further . the real bonus with charging an mx5 lump is if anything goes tits up a new engine or gearbox are dirt cheap compared to anything factory turbo charged .
this is on a 1.6 that had been running throttle bodies and thrashed mercilessly despite the crank pulley being a bit wobbly .been turboed for a few months with a 1.8 ready to go in but the 1.6 refuses to burst
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Last Edit: May 30, 2014 18:48:41 GMT by froggy
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rodit
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,683
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May 30, 2014 21:40:39 GMT
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Penguin speed shop or chops chop shop are worth a look, bit further afield is wackyracers.org, midlands based and will make anything fit.
I'd be looking K series conversion, maybe 1.8 vic.
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Low and slow
Why can't i tune it?
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Smiler
Posted a lot
I no longer own anything FWD! Or with less than 6 cylinders, or 2.5ltrs! :)
Posts: 2,492
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May 31, 2014 10:50:04 GMT
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I haven't read all the replies as I'm about to go out so I do apologize if I'm repeating anything.
First of all, get a complete donor car, not just the engine and gearbox. You're heading for pain and delays otherwise - voice of experience!
Engine choice - Cosworth V6 I wouldn't bother with, they're all getting old now, there's not a great deal of support compared to other engines out there, parts are expensive, gearboxes are questionable if looking for a manual conversion and they do have there problems (nylon blade chain tensioners getting eaten away by the timing chain and the resulting 'sludge' clogging oilways. Blades are expensive if you can find them).
If you want a V6 try an Omega unit, used in FWD in countless Vectras so lots of parts and support and comes with RWD manual option too.
Or my pick of the V6 options at present for the Scimitar, Jaguar S-Type 3.0ltr all alloy and 240bhp. Also comes in Manual option and is of course RWD. Only downside is I suspect it will need an after market management system due to the complexity of the original cars security/immobilizer system.
The Volvo T5 I'd also like to use but RWD manual gearboxes are hard to find now as you need the 6-cylinder spec gearbox for the correct bell housing pattern and most 6-pot cars were autos.
Whatever you go for, I'd try to keep it light as it'll make the car much more fun to drive.
That's my tuppence worth anyway, sorry if I've just been repeating what's been said/stating the obvious.
Got to go,
Good luck!
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www.Auto-tat.co.uk'96 Range Rover P38 DSE (daily driver) '71 Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE 3.0ltr Jag V6 Conversion '79 Reliant Scimitar SE6A 3.0ltr 24valve Omega Conversion '85 Escort Cabrio 2.0 Zetec - Sold '91 BMW 525i - Sold '82 Cortina 2.9i Ghia Cosworth - Sold '72 VW Campervan - Sold '65 LandRover 88" - Sold
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May 31, 2014 11:31:10 GMT
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This morning was looking on eBay and came across a VW VR6 cylinder head so Google'd up a bit more about them and think it could make an interesting conversion for a MGB with being such a narrow V6 and similar size to a straight 4. No "off the shelf" gearbox but by mix and match possible to mate a T5 gearbox via an adapter plate to a Porsche Cayenne / VW Touareg bell housing. You can get 2.8, 2.9, 3.2 & 3.6 versions.
Paul H
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